Cliquishness for Dummies

Cliquishness is a word that describes how people tend to form small groups or cliques and stick together, excluding others who may not be part of their group. It's like when you see a group of friends always hanging out and only talking to each other, not really including anyone else. It's kind of like being in a club or a special group where you have to be a member to be included in their activities and conversations.

Let me give you an example to help you understand it better. Have you ever been on a playground or in a classroom where some kids always play or talk together, and they don't really let others join in? Maybe they have their own secret handshake or inside jokes. They seem to have this invisible wall around them, making it hard for others to become part of their group. That's cliquishness, when people form these exclusive groups and make it difficult for others to feel included.

Another way to understand cliquishness is to think about how animals behave in the wild. Have you ever seen a group of birds that only fly together and never let other birds join them? Or maybe you've noticed a group of monkeys that stick together, grooming each other and keeping other monkeys away. It's kind of like that, but with people. Sometimes, certain individuals become part of a clique and they create this barrier between themselves and others, making it hard for people outside of their group to be part of their activities and conversations.

Now, let me explain another definition of cliquishness that might help you understand it even better. Cliquishness can also mean that a group of people only like or accept others who are just like them, and they exclude or look down on anyone who is different. It's like when someone only wants to be friends with people who have the same hobbies, interests, or background as them. They might think that people who are different from them aren't as good or cool.

Imagine you really like playing soccer, and all your friends also love soccer. Then, there's someone new in your class who likes painting instead. But because they're different, you and your friends don't try to include them or get to know them. That's another example of cliquishness, when people don't accept or include others who are not like them.

So, in a nutshell, cliquishness means forming exclusive groups where people stick together and exclude others, either by creating an invisible barrier or by only accepting those who are like them and rejecting those who are different. It's like kids only playing with certain friends and leaving others out, or like animals that only allow a select few to be part of their group. It's important to remember that being cliquish can make others feel left out, sad, and lonely, so it's always better to be inclusive and open to welcoming new people into our groups of friends.